Napkin-supporter



(No Model.)

B. A. POSTER. NAPKIN SUPPORTER.

No. 433,340. Patented July 29, 1890.,

WITNESSES "JV" 'VTORJ azmum ffi I ttorneyl/ UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EPHRIAM ABIGER FOSTER, OF PORT OLINTON, OHIO.

NAPKlN-SUPPORTER.

SPEGIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 433,340, dated July 29, 1890.

Application filed May 7, 1890. $erial No. 350,899. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EPHRIAM ABIGER Fos TER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Port Clinton, in the county of Ottawa and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Napkin-Holders; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, which forms a partof this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in napkin-holders, the object being to provide.

a simple, convenient, and economical device for supporting a napkin in front of a person to prevent the soiling of the garments while eating or drinking, and which is adjustable, so that it may be used by persons of varying or different sizes.

The invention consists in the novel construction hereinafter fully described, and definitely set forth in the claims.

I11 the accompanying drawing, the figure represents a perspective view of a napkinholdcr' constructed in accordance with my invention.

In the said drawing, the reference-numerals 1 1 designate two rods or bars, preferably rectangular in shape, and which maybe made of metal, celluloid, rubber, or any other suitable maierial. These bars at their inner ends are provided with loops or clips 2, by means of which they are slidable upon each other for the purpose of lengthening or shortening the device, according to the size of the person who is to use the same. \Vhen the bars 1 are made of sheet metal, their inner ends are formed with two projecting tongues, which are afterward bent over toward each other to form the loops 2. At their free or outer ends these bars are formed with a double curve 3 4, which, in connection with the strips 5, riveted to said bars, forms clamps 5 for securing the device to the lapels of a coat or vest. These strips 5 are bent over backward upon themselves, forming the clamps 6,which secure and hold the napkin. The free ends of these strips are curved or formed into a loop 7,

which serves a? them a hook 8, which may be employed as an additional holder in connection with the clamps 5, or it may be used as an independent securing device by hooking over a collar or in a button-hole. This is particularly adapted for use by ladies and children, but may also be used by men, if desired.

The manner of using the device will be readily understood. The napkin is inserted in the clamps 6, which will hold it distended, and-the lapels of the coat or vest are inserted between the curved portion of the ends of the bars and the strips 5, whereby the device is held in place, the inner ends of the bars sliding upon each other, so as to adjust them to the size of the person usingthe device. When not in use, the loops 7 serve as napkinrings.

If desired, the device maybe made of wire, in which case the strip 5 may be made integral therewith and the clamps 5" and 6 formed by bending said wire twice upon itself.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. The herein-described napkin-holder, consisting of the slidable bars 1, having recurved outer ends, and the strips 5, bent over upon themselves and secured to the bars 1, so as to form the clamps 5 and 6, substantially as described.

2. The herein-described napkin-holder, c011- sisting of the slidable bars 1, having recurved outer ends, and the strips 5, bent over upon themselves and secured to the bars 1, so as to form the clamps 5 and 6, and the hook 8,

movably secured to the inner ends of said bars, substantially as set forth.

3. The herein-described napkin-holder, consisting of the slidable bars 1, having recurved outer ends, the strips 5, bent over upon themselves and secured to said bars and having their free ends formed into loops 7, and the hook 8, movably attached to said "bars, substantially as set forth.

I11 testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereunto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EPHRIAIWI ABIGER FOSTER.

Witnesses:

JOHN DETLESS, JOSEPH DEAL. 

